Stage Collapse at Indiana State Fair Claims 7th Victim

Concertgoers and emergency personnel hold up the stage roof and rigging after it collapsed minutes before a concert by Sugarland at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis August 13, 2011. Four people were killed on the spot and at least 40 people were hurt when the stage collapsed in windy weather at the fair. Photo: Reuters

Police say a seventh person has passed away from injuries sustained when a stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair.

Indiana State Police say 24-year-old Ohioan Meagan Toothman died late Sunday from injuries suffered in the collapse, but did not release any further details.

Toothman was head cheerleading coach at Turpin High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University and returned to Cincinnati two years ago

Toothman was severely injured as a wind gust toppled the metal scaffolding holding lights and other equipment for the stage last Saturday as fans awaited a concert by the country group Sugarland.

Roughly 12,000 people were in the audience and at least 40 were injured when the scaffolding fell into the Sugarpit, a section usually occupied by Sugarland's biggest fans.

The fifth victim, Nathan Byrd, 51, was a stagehand on top of the rigging when it fell. He passed away later that same night.

The sixth victim, Ball State university senior Jennifer Haskell, died on Friday at an Indianapolis hospital.

Investigators are looking over policy, procedure, and physical aspects of the stage collapse. Winds of nearly 70 mph were estimated at the time of the collapse, and a severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for the area about 10 minutes prior to the collapse.